Thomas Jefferson’s defeat of John Adams in the election for the third president of the United States marked the end of Federalist power and the beginning of Republican power, sparking a change in US government so great that it is often referred to as the Revolution of 1800. As the first Republican president of the United States, Jefferson sought to correct some of the mistakes made by the past Federalist presidents, including the expiration of the Alien and Sedition Acts from Adams’ presidency and the repeal of the liquor tax from Washington’s. Thomas Jefferson also continued to make good decisions throughout his presidency; his most notable success being the Louisiana Purchase. This amazing achievement by the Jefferson administration doubled the size of the United States and allowed Americans to continue their movement into the widely unknown West. Jefferson was also instrumental in developing the precedent of executive privilege, which would be used by many presidents in the future. Amid Jefferson’s many accomplishments, he did have one major failure, the Embargo Act of 1807. This act became severely detrimental to America’s economy, and ultimately failed in its purpose of attaining neutrality rights at sea. However, because Jefferson not only corrected previous issues in American government but also took important steps towards strengthening and expanding America, he deserves an A.
Sources
DeGregorio, William A.. The complete book of U.S. presidents. 7 ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.
Sources
DeGregorio, William A.. The complete book of U.S. presidents. 7 ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.